Improvement in toy catapults



T. M. FITCH.

Toy-Catapults." v

N0.155,43 6, Patented Sept.29,187.

. 7 I a a fiweuior.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

THOMAS M. FITCH, or corner, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOY CATAPULTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 155,436, dated September 29, 1874; application filed December 16, 1873.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THoMAs M. FITCH, of Corry, county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Pocket Catapult, of which the following is a specification:

My invention is an improvement in an instrument for throwing projectiles by the use of a rubber or elastic strap or cord so constructed as to exert its full elastic force in shooting arrows or darts from a tube used in connection therewith, and avoiding or overcoming the difficulties heretofore met with in securing a full and perfect stroke, viz., lack of tension, imperfection in form, friction, and breakage.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide a cheap and portable weapon of defense when used in connection with, or as an attachment to,'a policemans club; second, to provide a gaming instrument for sportsmen; third, to provide a toy for children by using blunt instead of pointed arrows.

The accompanying drawings will more fully illustrate the nature of my invention.

Figure l is a perspective plan of the instrument with the case 0 O removed. Fig. 2 shows the form of the case 0 C. Fig. 3 illustrates in detail the principles of construction and operation. Fig. 4 shows the angular part of the elastic strap, in which G G represent the seizing, formed by two or more coils of waxed-ends wrapped firmly around the strap when stretched to its utmost tension.

In the several figures like letters refer to like parts.

A A is a flat oval V-shaped stock, through the center of which the bore F F passes, for the introduction of the arrow. D B D is the elastic V-shaped strap, and D D the points of attachment. B B is the arrow, and the points 1 2 3, at the vertex of the several angles formed by the elastic strap, show different degrees of tension, and the angles thus formed show the advantage gained over all similar instruments and illustrate the perfect manner of avoiding all friction between stock and strap. E E is the joint or tubular attachment of the arrow-head.

I make no claim to the use of the elastic strap in any other form than that herein specified, for I am aware that it has been heretofore applied to cylindrical forms, but has proved inefficient on account of friction and the tendency of the strap, when let go, to enter the tube with the arrow, clogging it, and breaking the strap.

I claim as my invention- The improved toy catapult herein described, consisting of the V-shaped stock A, provided with the bore F, the elastic strap 1), the case 0, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as set forth and shown.

THOMAS MAKEPIEGE FITCH.

Witnesses:

HENRY J. MANLEY, ROBERT W. ERVIN. 

